Letterpress prints form the foundation of Forbidden Pages, an art and social engagement exhibit utilizing diverse art forms such as letterpress, linoleum prints, zines, and a site-specific wallpaper mural installation. Drawing inspiration from a collection of more than 2,500 banned or challenged children’s books, including renowned titles like The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Festival of Colors by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal, and Neither by Airlie Anderson, Garmendia’s exhibit breathes fresh air into the silenced tales of these remarkable novels.

Each piece of Forbidden Pages features vibrant and colorful abstract designs rooted in the International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) of the challenged novels and their corresponding barcodes. This thought-provoking exhibit aims to foster and ignite curiosity on the meaning behind text excerpts of these novels. Garmendia’s exhibit seamlessly blends art and critical dialogue, encouraging the public to also reflect upon the ongoing limitations and accessibility concerns of children’s literature novels within Florida's public schools.

Hispanic Branch Library

1398 SW 1 Street, Miami, Florida